Power-operated elevator devices for well pipe



3, 1965 c. 0. BROWN 3,197,835

POWER-OPERATED ELEVATOR DEVICES FOR WELL PIPE Filed July 2, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 C/CERO CE/POIW IE IN VEN TOR. M M

1965 c. c. BROWN 3,197,835

POWER-OPERATED ELEVATOR DEVICES FOR WELL PIPE Filed July 2, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 C/CERO CEROWN JNVENTUR. fi/MM/ By in) ATTORNEY 1965 c. c. BROWN 3,197,835

POWEROPERATED ELEVATOR DEVICES FOR WELL PIPE Filed July 2, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet. 3

6/0520 CBAOW/V 2/7 2 7 214 INVENTOR. Wat/.161

jig. 8 BY %J ATTORNEYS Aug. 3, 1965 c. c. BROWN 3,197,835

POWER-OPERATED ELEVATOR DEVICES FOR WELL PIPE Filed July 2, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 53/ i I 'i 53/ I W I I l i F2: 332

325 I i 327 l e! k a7 m I I v C/CERO 6. BROW '-"'--'r INVENTOR. I I n 5i BY 0' 5 23410414 ATTORNE Y5 1965 c. c. BROWN 3,197,835

POWER-OPERATED ELEVATOR DEVICES FOR WELL PIPE Filed July 2, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 C/CEEO CZEZOWN INVENTOR. d mmamu BY film/v ATTORNEYS Aug. 3, 1965 c. c. BROWN 3,197,835

POWER-OPERATED ELEVATOR DEVICES FOR WELL PIPE Filed July 2, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 C/CERO 6. BROWN INVENTOR.

MA/ BY E mm ATTORNEYS United States Patent DEVIEES FUR This application is a continuation-impart of my application, Serial No. 832,283, filed August 7, 1959, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in power-operated elevator devices for well' pipe.

The usual elevator device now in common use on well drilling rigs includes hinged or pivoted jaw elements which are adapted to encircle the well pipe when in operating position. The opening through the device is substantially of the same diameter as the well pipe but is less than the diameter of the tool joint or collar which connects adjacent pipe sections, whereby the device engages beneath the shoulder or enlargement formed by the tool joint or collar to thereby support-the pipe string. Since the elevator must co-act with a shoulder or other enlargement, the point at which the elevator may be positioned on the well pipe in supporting said pipe is necessarily limited by the position of said shoulder or enlargement; this is ordinarily adjacent one end of the well pipe section.

Because a shoulder or enlargement on the well pipe is depended upon to co-act with the elevator device, the size of the opening through the device must fit the well pipe fairly closely with the result that each pipe size requires a different elevator device or at least difierent jaw elements. Thus, the usual elevator device is not adaptable for use over a range of pipe sizes.

Furthermore, where the usual hinged jaw type of elevator device is employed, the jaw elements must be manually guided into position around the pipe and must also be manually unlatched and disengaged from said pipe. Because of the latter requirement, the derrick man stationed in the upper end of the well derrick and one of the workmen on the floor must be depended upon to actually disengage the elevator from the well pipe during the running or removal of a pipe string into and from the well bore.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide an elevator device which is power-operated whereby engagement of the device With the well pipe or disengagement of said device from said pipe maybe controlled from a remote point, as for example, from the derrick floor, whereby dependence upon manual labor particularly to effect disengagement, is obviated.

An important object is to provide an improved power-operated elevator device which is adapted to firmly engage the well pipe at any area along the length of the pipe whereby the point of engagement of the device with said pipe is not limited by the particular position of a fixed enlargement or shoulder, as is the case with the usual hinged jaw type of elevators.

Another object is to provide an improved power-operated elevator device, of the character described, which is so constructed that one size may be efliciently employed with pipes of different diameters, whereby a single device is usable with a range of pipe. sizes.

Still another object is to provide a power-operated elevator device wherein movable gripping slips are utilized to connect with and support the well pipe; the slips being power-operated from a remote point so that the only manual operation which is required is the initial guiding of the pipe section into the opening between the slip members, whereby faster and more positive actuation of the elevator device may be accomplished.

3,197,835 Patented Aug. 3, 1965 A further object is to provide an elevator device having means for handling a plurality of well pipes simultaneously, whereby a number of well pipe strings may be lowered into a well bore at the same time and may also be removed from the well bore at the same time; the device being particularly adapted for use in running or removing multiple pipe strings such -as are employed in multiple zone production wells;

A particular object is to provide a power-operated multi-string elevator device wherein the gripping members for the various pipe strings may all be actuated as a unit or if desired, the gripping members for each pipe string may be cotnrolled separately and independently of the gripping members for the other strings.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof,

wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an elevator device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial isometric view illustrating one of the slip expander surfaces of the slip bowl;

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view of the elevator device showing the mounting of the power-operated cylinder and the remote control therefor;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a modified form of an elevator device which is capable of handling multiple pipe strings;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of another modification of the invention wherein the gripping members for each pipe string are independently actuated;

FIGURE 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an isometric view of one of the lifting segments of the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 7 and 8;

FIGURE 10 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a modified form of the invention illustrating a slightly different type of connection between the lift ring and the power means;

FIGURE 11 is a schematic view of a well derrick illustrating the manner in which the elevator device is supported within said derrick, the device being the modification of FIGURES 5 and 6;

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of still another modification of the invention wherein a slightly different form of the pipe gripping members is actuated by a fluid motor;

FIGURE 13 is a transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 1313 of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 14 is a plan view of a multiple pipe-handling elevator similar to that shown in FIGURE 12 and having an actuating piston for actuating the gripping members; and

FIGURE 15 is a transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 14.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates an annular body having a central opening 11 extending vertically therethrough. The wall of the opening 11 is inclined downwardly and inwardly of the axis of the body to form a seating surface. Diametrically opposed spaced supporting ears or lugs 12 are preferably formed integral with the body and extend outwardly therefrom whereby sup porting links 13 may be engaged between the lugs to support the body. The links 13 extend upwardly from the body and are suitably secured to the traveling block A of a well derrick (FIGURE 11) which permits the body to be lowered and raised within the well derrick in the usual manner.

A Bowl 14 is adapted to seat within the tapered opening 11 of the body 10 and said bowl is formed with a flange 15 at its upper end, which flange overlies the upper surface of the body 10 when the bowl is in position within the body as shown in FIGURE 2. Suitable headed bolts 16, which extend through the flange 15 and are threaded into the body 10, secure the bowl 114 in its position within the tapered opening of the body.

The bowl 14 is provided with a central axial opening or bore 17 which has its lower end flared or enlarged as indicated at 17a (FIGURE 2). A plurality of vertical recesses 18 extendinwardly from the wall of the bore 17 and although the number of these recesses may vary, four are shown spaced equidistant around the bore. The rear or inner wall 18a of each recess is inclined or tapered inwardly and downwardly of the bore (FIGURE 3) and adjacent saidrear wall opposed guide grooves 19 are cut in the side walls of each recess 18. The grooves are in-,

clined to follow the inclination of the rear wall 13a and extend substantially throughout the vertical length of said recess.

Mounted for vertical and lateral movement within each recess is a gripping element 20 which is illustrated as a gripping slip having gripping teeth 21 on its inner' surface. Each slip has outwardly projecting opposed ribs 22 which fit within the guide grooves 19 whereby as vertical movement of the slip member within its recess 18 occurs, the slip is also moved laterally; the interengaged ribs and grooves also prevent displacement of the slip member from the recess. The rear or inner surface of each slip member is inclined or tapered complementary to the tapered surface 180 of each recess. When each; slip member is moved downwardly, the coaction between guide ribs 22 and inclined guide grooves 19 results in the slip member being moved in a lateral direction inwardly toward the axis of the opening while upward travel of the slip results in a lateral outward movement of said slip. Because the rear or inner surface of the slip member is complementary to the inclined expander surface 18a, a fir'mcontact between the slip member and the wall 18a is maintained at all times.

For suspending the slip members 29 and also for controlling the raising and'lowering thereof, an annular lift ring 23 is positioned above the bowl14 and this ring is slideable vertically upon a plurality of guide posts 24 which extend upwardly from said bowl. The central opening 25 in the lift ring'is of substantially the same diameter as the smallest part of the bore 17 and said opening is aligned axially with said bore. On its inner margin, the lift ring is provided with a plurality of recesses 26, one for eachslip member, and each of said recesses is in vertical alignment with one of the slip mem bers 20. Each slip member has an upwardly directed extensio gtla which is substantially rectangular in crosssection and which projects upwardly through the aligned recess 26 which is disposed in the inner margin of the lift ring 23. A transverse supporting pin 29b extends through an opening in the upper end of the extension 20a and has its ends engaging the upper surface of the lift ring.

With the above arrangement, each slip member 2% is suspended from the lift ring by means of the transverse pin Ztlb and as the ring is lowered to permit a lowering of the slip member within the bowl 14, the particular suspension permits the slip to undergo lateral movement of the slip member; during such lateral movement, the extension 20a of each slip member merely moves laterally within its particular recess 26 of the lift ring 23. Similarly, when the lift ring is raised to cause outward lateral motion of the slip memberflhe extension 20a may undergo movement within its recess 26. Since all of the slip members 21 are suspended from the single lift ring 23, it will be evident that lowering and raising of the lift ring will result in simultaneous raising and lowering of the slip members.

For controlling the raising and lowering of the lift ring 23, an actuating lever 27 is provided. The lever 27 is pivotally mounted by means of a pivot bolt 28 on the upper end of a post 24a; the post 240: is similar to the guide posts 24 except that it is slightly longer and said post not only functions to pivotally mount the actuating lever 27 but also acts in guiding the vertical movement of the lift ring 23. The inner end of the actuating lever is generally U-shaped to provide arms 27a and 27b, which'are suitably connected through links 23 to the upper surface of the lift ring. When the outer end of the atctuating lever is moved, the lever swings on its pivot 28 to lower or raise the lift ring. I

For imparting movement to the actuating lever 27, the outer end thereof is connected through a suitable clamp 30 with the piston rod 31 of a piston 32 (FIGURE 4). The piston 32 is slideable within a power-operated cylinder 33 which has its lower end pivotally mounted at 34 to one side of the annular body 10. Any suitable source of power, such as pressure or power fluid, may be selectively conducted to opposite ends of the cylinder through supply lines 35 and 36, the flow to one or the other of the lines being controlled through a well known control valve 37. A fluid supply line 38 connects with the valve to conduct power fluid to the unit and said valve 37 controls the admission and exhaust of power fluid into and out of the cylinder 33. When power fluid is directed to one side of the piston, the opposite side of said piston is in communication with an exhaust port (not shown) in the valve 37. Upon reversal of valve 37, power fluid is applied to the opposite side of the piston with suitable exhaust through said valve.

The control valve 37 may be located at any point remote from the elevator device. The lines 35 and 36 are flexible and may be of sufficient length to locate the control valve 37 on the derrick floor. With the elevator device suspended from the usual traveling block A of the well derrick, such device is, of course, capable of being moved vertically throughout the length of the derrick. By providing the flexible lines 35 and 36 of suflicient length, the control of the slip members may be from the derrick floor.

The operation of the device is obvious from the foregoing. With the body 10 suspended from the usual traveling block, the slip members are in a raised position with respect to the slip bowl 14. At this time the lift ring is in a raised position and the operating piston 32 is lowered within its cylinder 33.

The end of the well pipe which is to be handled by the elevator device is guided into the lower end of the bowl 14, the entrance of said pipe being facilitated by the bevelled enlarged portion 17a of the bore 17. The elevator device is then lowered to cause the well pipe to project upwardly through the bore 17 and between the slip members 20 which at this time are in a raised position relative to the bowl 14. In such position the inner gripping surfaces 21 of the slips 20 are displaced laterally outwardly and are in nongripping position. When it is desired to engage the elevator device with the well pipe, the control valve 37 is operated to direct a pressure fluid through line 36 into the lower end of the power cylinder 33 whereby the piston 32 is moved upwardly. Upward movement of the piston 32 swings the actuating lever 27 and causes a lowering of the lift ring 23; such lowering of the lift ring permits a downward movement of the slip members 20 within the bowl 14 and, as explained, the downward movement of said members effects an inward lateral displacement thereof whereby the gripping surfaces of the members 20 are moved into engagement with the well pipe. Thereafter, the pipe is suspended from the gripping elements and the weight of the pipe will tend to urge the gripping slips downwardly within the bowl to assure that said elements maintain a tight hold uponthe pipe.

After engagement of the gripping slips with the pipe, the elevator device may be lowered or raised to lower or raise said pipe in order to run the pipe into the well or to remove said pipe from the well. When it is desired to 7 release the elevators from gripping position, it is only necessary to actuate the control valve 37 to direct operating fluid through line and against the upper side of piston 32. This results in a downward swinging of the outer end of the actuating lever 27 with a resultant upward swinging of the inner end thereof whereby the lift ring 23 is raised and the gripping slips 20 are raised with respect to the bowl. Such upward movement of the slips with respect to the bowl will result in a lateral outward movement of the slips, due to the co-action of the guide ribs and grooves of each slip and its recess, to thereby disengage the slips from the pipe. The elevator is then raised suificiently to disengage the same from the pipe end; The gripping members are actuated from a remote point by suitable power and the necessity for manual engagement or disengagement of the elevator from the pipe is obviated. Also, the power which is utilized to actuate the slip members may be maintained against said members by maintaining the power within the cylinder 33. By employing gripping elements, such as the slips 20, the ele- Water may be engaged with the pipe along any area and the elevator is not dependent upon engagement with an enlargement or shoulder such as is the usual practice with the hinged or jaw-type elevators now in general use. Furthermore, since considerable lateral movement may be accomplished, the elevator shown herein is usable over a range of pipe sizes and is not limited to use with only a single size pipe. Since control of the engagement and disengagement of the gripping members is by suitable power, which eliminates manual operation, the only manual operation which must be performed is the guidance of the end of a pipe into the bore 17 which is just prior to the time that the elevator is to be connected with the pipe. Although it is preferable to dispose the control valve 37 on the derrick floor adjacent the drillers position, it may be placed at any other desired location.

In FIGURES 1 to 4 an elevator device for handling a single well pipe is illustrated. However, where multiple zone production is being carried out in a well, it is desirableto simultaneously lower and raise a plurality of. well pipes at the same time. The present device is applicable to handling a plurality of pipe strings and in FIGURES 5 and 6 such a modification is illustrated. I In this form, the

body 10 has a bowl 114 mounted therein, the bowl 114 substituting for the bowl 14 of the first form. Instead of the single opening or bore 17, the bowl 114 has a plurality of bores 117; as illustrated, four of these bores or openings, each of which is adapted to receive a well pipe, are shownbut, of course, the number is variable. Mounted within each bore 117 is a set of slip members 120 which are suspended from a lift ring123. The lift ring 123 is mounted for vertical movement above the bowl 114 and is guided in its movement by guide posts 124 and 124a.

For raising and lowering the lift ring 123 to control the position of the various sets of slip members 120, a central stem is secured to the central portion of the lift ring and extends upwardly therefrom. Below the lift ring the stem 40 is formed with a guide extension 41 which engages an axial bore 42 formed in the bowl 114. An actuating lever 127 is pivoted at 128 to the guide post 124a and the inner end of the lever is bifurcated and engaged within a recessed portion 43 provided in the upwardly projecting stem 40. The outer end of lever 127 is connected through the clamp 30 with piston rod 31.

In the operation of this form of the invention, the lift ring 123 is raised and lowered by means of actuating lever 127. As the ring is lowered or raised, it simultaneously lowers or raises all sets of the slip members 120. Thus,

' the elevator device is raised or lowered by means of the traveling block to raise or lower all of the pipe strings at the same time.

Disengagement of the elevator device from the pipe strings is effected by actuating the control valve 37 which results in swinging the actuating lever 127, whereby the slip members 129 are raised. Such raising of members 128 elfects an outward lateral movement thereof which disengages the same from the pipe strings. Thereafter, the traveling block is employed to raise the elevator and there-by remove the same from the pipe strings.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, the various sets of slip members for the different pipe strings are actuated simultaneously by a single lift ring 123. It might be desirable to actuate each set of gripping slips independently of the other sets and such an arrangement is illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8. As shown in these figures, the body 16 receives a slip bowl 214 which is similar to the slip bowl 114 in that it is provided with a plurality of separate and independent bores 217, each of which receives a separate pipe string. Each bore 217 has associated therewith a set of gripping members or slips 22% and each set of slips is suspended from a lifting quadrant or segment 221. As shown in FIGURE 9, each quadrant 221 has a central opening 222 formed with recesses 226, such recesses being similar to the recesses 26 of the lift ring 23 of the first form of the invention. Each segment is connected through suitable links 229 with a pivoted actuating lever 2 27, said lever being pivoted on a support post 224a. The outer end of the actuating lever 227 is connected to the piston rod 31 of piston 32 which is movable within the power cylinder 33. Movement of the segment 221 in a vertical direction is guided by the engagement of a recess 221a with a central guide post 50.

In FIGURES 7 and 8 each set of slips 220 is provided with its own lifting segment 221 and its own actuating lever 227. By providing a control valve 37 for each one of the cylinders 33, the independent control of each set of gripping members may be accomplished.

The operation of the form shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 is substantially the same as that heretofore described with respect to the form shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. A plurality of pipe strings may be handled simultaneously. However, in the arrangement of FIGURE 8 it is possible to engage or disengage any particular pipe string independently of the operation of the other gripping members. In. all forms of the invention the actuation of the gripping members is remotely controlled and the gripping members are power-actuated to eliminate the necessity of manual operation.

In FIGURES 1 through 9 the lift ring which controls the vertical motion of the slip members has been illustrated as actuated by the pivoted actuating lever. However, other arrangements of connecting the lift ring to the power cylinder or cylinders can be employed and in FIGURE 10 a modification is shown. In this form the lift ring 23 is connected to the upper end of guide posts 324 and the lower portion of each guide post is movable within a cylinder 325 formed in the body 10. Diametrically opposed extensions 326 are secured to the periphery of the lift ring and extend radially outwardly therefrom.

Each extension 326 has its outer end secured to the piston rod 331 of an operating piston 332. Each operating piston is suitably supported at its lower end in a bracket The cylinders 333 will, of course, be connected through flexible connections with the control valve 37 and a source of power fluid. When the pistons are actuated to be raised or lowered, a direct vertical lifting or lowering motion wil be imparted to the ring 23. .Movement of the lift ring is guided by the guide posts 324 sliding within their respective cylinders 325. The particular advantage of the construction shown in FIGURE 10 is that the overall height of the unit is reduced because the posts do not project upwardly above the lift ring; also, a direct lifting force is applied to the ring.

Although the particular type of gripping members, as shown in the forms of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 1 through 11, have been found satisfactory, the invention is not dependent upon the particular construction of the gripping members which engage the pipes extending through the elevator device and, in FIGURES 12 to 15, another type of gripping member is shown. Referring to FIGURES 12 and 13, this form of the invention includes a main body 110 having diametrically opposed supporting lugs 112 whereby the body may be suspended by a supporting cable from the usual crown block in the well derrick. The body 110 is formed with a plurality of vertically extending bores 417 and four of such bores or openings are shown. A well pipe or tubing is adapted to extend through each of said bores.

The gripping members which are associated with each bore are illustrated as comprising a trio of gripping slips 420, 421 and 422, which are spaced about the bore 417 (FIGURE 12).. The slips 421 and 422 are preferably fixed and are mounted within recesses 423 formed in the body 110; the lower end of each slip member 421 and 422 is supported upon a shoulder 424 formed within the body and extending inwardly from the wall of the bore 417, as clearly illustrated in FIGURE 13.

The fixed or stationary slip members 421 and 422 are disposed opposite the third slip member 424* which is.

movable within a slot 425, such movement being in a radial direction with respect to the axis of the bore or opening 417. When the gripping slip 420 is moved inwardly, the pipe (not shown) extending through the bore will be gripped between the trio of slip members 420, 421 and 422. Upon retraction of the movable slip member 420, the gripping of the pipe is released.

For remotely controlling the lateral or radial movement of the movable slip 420 with respect to the axis of the bore 417, each such slip member has a swivel connection 426 with an actuating shaft 427. The shaft 427 is formed with external threads which co-act with internal threads 428 formed in a lateral bore in the body 110. At its outer end, the shaft 427 (FIGURE 13) has a spline connection 429 with the rotating shaft 430 of a hydraulic motor 431. The hydraulic motor 431 is rotated in one direction or the other by directing power fluid to said motor through lines 432 and 433. When power fluid is applied through line 432, the shaft of the motor as well as the threaded shaft 427 are rotated in one direction; application of power fluid through the other line 433 rotates the shaft 427 in an opposite direction. Thus, by controlling the flow to the hydraulic motor of each slip assembly, the movable gripping slip 42d of that assembly may be moved inwardly into gripping position with the pipe or may be retracted to a non-gripping position.

In FIGURE 12, the power lines 432 and 433 are shown as being connected to two of the hydraulic motors 431 so that two of the gripping slip assemblies would be simultaneously actuated. However, it is evident that each hydraulic motor 431 may have its own independent connection with a power fluid source so that by properly controlling flow of fluid to one or more of the hydraulic motors 431, the four slip assemblies may all be operated simultaneously or may be independently and selectively operated. In this form of the invention, the same advantages are obtained except that the particular type of gripping slips shown reduce the overall height of the unit because the movable gripping slip 420 need only move 8 in a lateral or horizontal direction, as distinguished from movement in both a lateral and a vertical direction. The particular type of hydraulic motor is, of course, subject to variation. It is noted that although only the one slip 420 is movable, it is possible to mount the other slips 421 and 422 for movement but in such case, additional actuating means in the form of the motor 431 and shaft 427 would have to be provided, which would increase the overall size of the body.

In FIGURES 14 and 15, a slight modification of the form shown in FIGURES 12 and 13 is illustrated. Instead of providing a hydraulic motor capable of rotation in, either direction to operate the mechanical threaded shaft, said motor may be omitted and in'substitution therefor, a cylinder 531 may be provided. This cylinder has connection at opposite ends with the power fluid lines 432 and 433. A piston 532, is movable within the cylinder and is reciprocated therein in one direction or the other, depending upon the direction in which power fluid is applied through the lines 432 and 433. The piston 532 has a piston shaft 533, preferably made integral there: with, and this shaft extends into the vertical slot 425 within which the movable slip member 420 is' operable and said shaft is suitably connected to said member 420.

The operation of this form of the invention is substantially'the same as that shown in FIGURES l2 and 13 except that a piston and cylinder are employed to impart the lateral or radial movement to the slip member 420 of each assembly. Such piston and cylinder are, of course, in substitution for the hydraulic motor 431 and the threaded actuating shaft 427 of the form illustrated in FIGURES 12 and 13. It is noted that the power lines 432 and 433 are shown as connected to two of the actuating cylinder and piston assemblies so that two of the slips are operated simultaneously; however, each piston may be connected to its own independent power source so that all of the slip assemblies of the various bores 417 may be actuated simultaneously or they may be actuated independently. I

In all forms of the present invention where multiple pipes are handled, it is possible to run any one or all of said pipes, as the particular case may dictate. In certain instances, assuming that four pipes are lowered into the well bore, one or more of said pipes may require more or less tension and with the present invention it is possible, because each slip assembly is independently oper able, to set any desired tension in any particular pipe.

With the elevators herein disclosed, a plurality of pipes may be properly handled in accordance with the particular conditions encountered.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrated and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What IcIaim is: p

1. An elevator device for handling a well pipe including, a body having an opening therein through which a well pipe is adapted to extend, gripping members movable vertically within said opening between the wall of the opening and the exterior of the pipe which extends through said opening, co-acting means within the opening and on the gripping members for moving said members laterally into and out of engagement with the well pipe in accordance with the vertical position of the members, an annular lift ring overlying the upper surface of the body and having radially directed recesses in its inner periphery, one recess being associated with each gripping member, means for suspending the gripping members from said lift ring comprising an upward extension on each slip extending within the associated recess in the lift ring, said extension terminating above the lift ring, means connected to the upper end of the extension and engaging the upper surface of the lift ring to suspend each gripping member from the lift ring while permitting lateral movement thereof within its associated recess, a pivoted lever having one end secured to the lift ring, a power cylinder, a piston within said cylinder having an extending piston rod, and means connecting the piston rod to the other end of the pivoted lever whereby movement of the piston rod and piston within the. cylinder in either direction moves the lift ring' to thereby control the position of the grip ping members vertically of the opening to thereby control the engagement and disengagement of said gripping members with the well pipe.

2. An elevator device for handling a plurality of well pipes including, a body having a plurality of vertical openings extending therethrough, each opening beingadapted to have a Well pipe extending therethrough, a set of pipe gripping members associated with each opening and movable vertically between the wall of the opening and the exterior of the pipe which extends through said opening, coacting means within each opening and on the associated gripping members for moving said memberslaterally into and out of engagement with the well pipe in accordance with the vertical position of the gripping members, and power-operated means for controlling the position of each set of gripping members vertically of its respective opening to thereby control the engagement and disengagement of each set of gripping members with the well pipe extending through its associated opening.

3. An elevator device as set forth in claim 2 together with remotely located control means having connection with the power-operated means for controlling actuation of the latter.

4. An elevator device for handling a plurality of well pipes including, a body having a plurality of vertical openings extending therethrough, each opening being adapted to have a well pipe extending therethrough, a set of pipe gripping members associatedwith each opening and movable vertically between the Wall of the opening and the exterior of the pipe which extends through said opening, coacting means within each opening and on the associated gripping members for moving said members laterally into and out of engagement with the well pipe in accordance with the vertical position of the gripping members, a common liftring from which all sets of the gripping members are suspended, and power-operated means for moving the lift ring vertically to control the vertical positions of the gripping members to thereby control the engagement and disengagement of each set of gripping members with the associated well pipe.

5. An elevator device for handling a plurality of well pipes including, a body having a plurality of vertical openings extending therethrough, each opening being adapted to have a well pipe extending therethrough, a set of pipe gripping members associated with each opening and movable vertically between the well of the opening and the exterior of the pipe which extends through said opening, coacting means within each opening and on the associated gripping members for moving said members laterally into and out of engagement with the well pipe in accordance with the vertical position of the gripping members, a vertically movable lifting segment for each set of gripping members, means suspending the gripping members from said lifting segment, and a power-operated means connected with each lifting segment for controlling the vertical movement of said segment to effect vertical movement of the gripping members suspended therefrom to control the engagement and disengagement of the members with the well pipe.

6. An elevator device for handling a Well pipe including, an annular body, a bowl supported within the body cal movement of the gripping member will result in a lateral or radial movement of said gripping member with respect to the axis of the opening, each gripping member having an upward extension, a lifting element mounted for vertical movement and having a recess through which the extension of each gripping member projects, a cross pin on each extension of said gripping members engaging the upper surface of the lifting element whereby vertical movement of the lifting member will result in vertical movement of the slip members while permitting lateral motion of such members, diametrically opposed extensions secured to the lifting element and projecting outwardly therefrom beyond the outer periphery of the annular body, and a power-operated means for each extension of said lifting element, each of said power-operated means comprising a cylinder mounted on the annular body and a piston movable within the cylinder and connected with one of the extensions of said lifting element, whereby movement of the piston within its cylinder controls the vertical movement of the lifting element.

7. An elevator device for handling a well pipe including, a body having an opening therein through which a well pipe is adapted to extend, gripping members movable vertically within said opening between the wall of the opening and the exterior of the pipe which extends through said opening, coacting means Within the opening and on the gripping members for moving said members laterally into and out of engagement with the well pipe in accordance with the vertical position of the members, supporting means for said gripping members and movable vertically relative to the body and located in spaced relationship above the gripping members, said supporting means having a radially directed vertical recess in its inner surface and positioned above each gripping member, suspending means on each gripping member extending upwardly within the recess thereabove and having engagement with the upper surface of the supporting means, whereby each gripping member may undergo limited lateral movement relative to the supporting means, and power-operated means disposed exteriorly of the body and attached to the supporting means to thereby control the vertical movement of the gripping members relative to the body to engage and disengage said members with and from the well pipe. I

8. An elevator device as set forth in claim 7 together with control means having connection with the poweroperated means and disposed at a location remote from the latter for controlling the actuation of said poweroperated means.

9. An elevator device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the power-operated means comprises a cylinder, a piston movable within the cylinder and having a piston rod extending therefrom, and connecting means between the piston rod and the overlying means from which the gripping members are suspended, whereby movement of the piston rod imparts vertical movement to the gripping members.

10. An elevator for handling a plurality of well pipes, said elevator having a body adapted to be suspended within a well derrick structure, said body having a plurality of openings therein, each of said openings being for the reception of one of a plurality of well pipes, independent pipe engaging means associated with each of said openings, and power-operated actuating means connected with the pipe-engaging means to actuate one or more of said pipe engaging means, whereby said pipes may be engaged and handled simultaneously or independently.

11. An elevator device for handling a plurality of pipes including, a body adapted to be suspended within a well derrick and having a plurality of vertical openings extending therethrough, each opening being adapted to have a pipe extending therethrough, a set of pipe supporting members associated with each opening and having irregular gripping surfaces engageable with the pipe projecting through said opening for supporting the same; means mounting at least one of said supporting members of each set for movement in a lateral direction with respect disengaged from pipe, and power operated means having operative connection with the mounting means to act thereon to thereby control the engagement and disengagement of each set of pipe supporting members with the pipe extending through its associated opening.

12'. An elevator device as set forth in claim 11, together with remotely located control means having connection with the power operated means to control the latter.

13. An elevator device for handling a plurality of pipes including, a body adapted to be suspended within a well derrick and having a plurality of vertical openings extending therethrough, each opening being adapted to have a pipe extending therethrough, a set of pipe supporting members associated with each opening and having toothed gripping surfaces engageable with the pipe projecting through said opening for supporting the same, movable actuating means for each set of pipe supporting members to eilect engagement or non-engagement of the pipe extending through the opening by said gripping surfaces of the pipe'supporting members of each set, and power operated means having operative relationship 'With said movable actuating means to control the position thereof and thereby control the engagement and disengagement of each set of pipe supporting members with the pipe extending through its associated opening.

14."An elevator device for handling a plurality of pipes including, a body adapted to be suspended within a well derrick and having a plurality of vertical openings extending therethrough, each opening being adapted to have a pipe extending therethrough, a set of gripping members associated with each opening, each set including at least one fixed gripping member having a toothed grippingsurface and at least one gripping member also having a toothed gripping surface which is movable radially with respect to the axis of the pipe extending through said opening, actuating means for moving said movable gripping member into and out of engagement With said pipe whereby the pipe is engaged or disengaged by all gripping members of said set, and power operated means for controlling the position of said movable gripping member of each set to thereby control the engagement and disengagement of each set of gripping members with the pipe extending through its associated opening.

15. An elevator for handling a plurality of Well pipes, said elevator having a body adapted to be suspended within a well derrick structure, said body having a plurality of openings therein, each of said openings being for the reception of one of a plurality of Well pipes, independent pipe engaging means associated with each of said openings, a common lift element positioned above all of said pipe engaging means, means for suspending all of said pipe engaging means from said common lift element, and power-operated actuating means connected with the common lift element for actuating all of said pipe engaging means simultaneously.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 734,510 7/03 Cameron.

768,915 8/04 Stoner et'al 294-8631 X 881,519 3/08 Wilson 13-16 X 1,400,701 12/21 Vreeland 24-2635 X 1,659,783 2/28 Pearce.

1,676,275 7/28 Montgomery 24-263.5 1,708,051 4/29 Butler 24-2635 1,731,128 10/29 Edwards 24-2635 1,817,467 8/31 Thompson 24-2635 2,068,217 1/37 Abegg 24-2635 2,071,937 2/37 Payne 24-2635 X 2,298,507 7 10/42 Penick et a1. 2,335,355 11/43 Penick et a1. 2,536,304 1/51 Moon 173-167 X 2,545,627 3/51 Moore 24-2635 2,615,682 10/52 Stone 81-53 2,814,461 11/57 Martin 24-2635 X 2,896,003 7/59 Eaton. 2,919,925 1/60 Snyder 24-263.5 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 7,867 6/02 Austria. 590,042 3/59 Italy.

DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner. LEO QUACKENBUSH, Examiner. 

11. AN ELEVATOR DEVICE FOR HANDLING A PLURALITY OF PIPES INCLUDING, A BODY ADAPTED TO BE SUSPENDED WITHIN A WELL DERRICK AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL OPENINGS EXTENDING THERETHROUGH, EACH OPENING BEING ADAPTED TO HAVE A PIPE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH, A SET OF PIPE SUPPORTING MEMBERS ASSOCIATED SURFACES ENGAGABLE WITH THE PIPE PROJECTREGULAR GRIPPING SURFACES ENGAGABLE WITH THE PIPE PROJECTING THROUGH SAID OPENING FOR SUPPORTING THE SAME; MEANS MOUNTING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SUPPORTING MEMBERS OF EACH SET FOR MOVEMENT IN A LATERAL DIRECTION WITH RESPECT TO THE PIPE, WHEREBY THE GRIPPING SURFACES OF ALL SUPPORTING MEMBERS OF SAID SET MAY BE ENGAGED WITH OR 